Wave-Shaped Roofs Cut Hurricane Wind Pressure

FAMU-FSU researchers found wave-shaped building designs can reduce peak wind pressures near roof and wall corners.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Materials Science

Wave-Shaped Roofs Cut Hurricane Wind Pressure

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Should Florida spend more on building homes that can withstand hurricane-force winds?

FAMU-FSU College of Engineering researchers are testing whether changing building shape can protect structures from hurricane-force winds. In wind-tunnel tests of 3D-printed models, wave-shaped roofs and walls reduced peak wind pressures by as much as 60 percent near certain corners.

Why it matters

Hurricane-force winds cause significant property losses in Florida, and reducing peak pressures at corners could make homes and buildings in Tallahassee and across the state more resilient. The research approaches the problem by changing building geometry rather than only reinforcing structures.

The study relies on wind-tunnel testing of 3D-printed structures, with peak wind pressures reduced by as much as 60 percent near certain corners. Whether these results hold for full-scale buildings under real storm conditions has not been established.

The players

Pedro Fernández-Cabán

Pedro Fernández-Cabán is an assistant professor at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering who is involved in testing wave-shaped building designs against hurricane-force winds.

FAMU-FSU College of Engineering

The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering is a joint engineering school of Florida A&M University and Florida State University based in Tallahassee.

The details

Researchers tested wave-shaped roofs and walls, which disrupt airflow vortices and break them into smaller vortices. The team, led by Pedro Fernández-Cabán, an assistant professor at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, plans to work with industry professionals to explore real-world construction of these designs.

The research is still ongoing, with no set timeline for using these designs in homes.

Materials Science Context

Current Florida Building Code wind-load requirements for coastal construction focus largely on structural strength and connections. This research points toward shape-based approaches that could eventually change how wind forces are calculated for new designs.

Homeowners in hurricane-prone areas will not see these wave-shaped designs in new construction yet, since the work is still ongoing without a set timeline. Builders and engineers may eventually reference geometry-based wind reduction once industry partnerships move the research toward real-world use.

The takeaway

Changing a building's shape may reduce the wind forces it must withstand, offering a complementary path to traditional reinforcement. Readers should watch for whether these results translate from laboratory models to full-scale construction.